Past papers - CCEA GCSE English Language

Here you can find CCEA past papers for GCSE English Language. Use the links below to download question papers and mark schemes (which contain indicative content and explain how marks are awarded).

In Unit 1, the exam will consist of five tasks, all of which you will be expected to complete.

• Task 1: Write a piece of non-fiction (usually a speech or an article)
• Tasks 2 and 3: Respond to a piece of non-fiction (usually an extract from an article)
• Tasks 4 and 5: Respond to a media text

Unit 2 is a controlled assessment unit based on speaking and listening.

Unit 3 is also a controlled assessment unit, based on two responses – the first to spoken language, the second to written language.

In Unit 4, the exam will consist of four tasks, all of which you will be expected to complete.

• Task 1: Write a piece of personal writing OR a piece of creative writing
• Task 2: Compare extracts from two different literary texts
• Tasks 3 and 4: Respond to a piece of non-fiction (usually an extract from an article)

CCEA past papers and mark schemes are the intellectual property of CCEA and are copyright © CCEA. All CCEA material is linked to with their permission.

Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media Texts

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme

November 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme

November 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Unit 2 is a controlled assessment unit based on speaking and listening.

Unit 3 is a controlled assessment unit based on the study of spoken and written language. We have guidance for the CCEA controlled assessment on the study of written language on Bitesize.

For further advice on your controlled assessments, please consult your teacher.

Personal or Creative Writing and Reading Literary and Non-Fiction Texts

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme

November 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme

November 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

You can find more English language past papers and mark schemes on the CCEA website.

Papers going back as far as 2018 are available there, in both standard and modified versions.

1. Read, read, read!
Read as much as you can before your exams and make sure you read a variety of materials. You should read novels, short stories, articles, biographies, essays – essentially anything and everything you can. Reading a wide range of material will expose you to different styles of writing. It will also help you form your own narrative voice and teach you new vocabulary and information.

2. Know the linguistic devices
You should know linguistic devices inside out. Make sure you know how to identify the devices in writing, know examples of the devices and how to use them. To gain marks, it is also important to be able to comment on the devices and analyse the effects of the devices. Further marks are available for effective evaluation of linguistic devices.

3. SQuIDS in for planning
Practise using the SQuID framework to plan your answers when responding to texts for Unit 1 - Tasks 2 and 4 and Unit 4 - Tasks 2, 3 and 4. SQuID stands for S - Statement; Qu - Quote; I - Infer; D - Develop. More on the SQuID method can be found on our page on How to analyse an extract.

4. Practise the longer writing sections
In your exams, Unit 1 - Section A and Unit 4 - Section A both require a lengthy written response and are worth the most marks on each paper. It is important that you plan before starting a piece of extended writing. Practise writing plans when revising. You should also practise writing under timed conditions. Remember to include as many linguistic devices as are relevant. You should also take the time to proofread your work. You may like to re-write these pieces of extended writing at a later date, aiming to make improvements.

5. Past papers
Familiarise yourself with the past papers – the layout and different sections of each. Complete past papers at home to practise the timing of each section. This will also help you quickly navigate the paper in the exam.

1. Know the papers
Unit 1 and Unit 4 in your CCEA English Language GCSE are assessed by an examination paper. Ensure, during your preparation, that you are familiar with papers for each unit. You should know the layout, the type of questions you will be asked and the timings and marks for each. This way, there is less chance of being flustered on the day of your exam!

2. Stick to the recommended timings
The exam papers suggest timing for each question. It is very important that you stick to these suggested timings as closely as you can – the time allocation is connected to the marks available. Sticking to the suggested timings should ensure you do not run out of time and your time is used as effectively as possible, helping you to get the best possible marks.

3. Read the questions thoroughly
Take time to read through each question in detail before starting the paper. Highlight or underline the key terms – this will help you focus on what you have to do.

4. Plan your responses
For longer answers, it can be effective to take a little time to plan your responses before beginning to write them. This can help you structure your answer and make sure you don't leave out any key information. Adopting this approach will be most useful in Unit 1 - Section A and Unit 4 - Section A.

5. Proofread
If you can, try to leave some time at the end of your exam to proofread your answers. Again, this is especially important in Unit 1 - Section A and Unit 4 - Section A, as there are up to 30 marks available for the use of a range of sentence structures and accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Reading over your work will allow you to ensure that your writing makes sense. It will also allow you to double check that you have not left out any information.

If practising with past papers has highlighted a particular text you need help with, then further assistance is available.

You can go straight to the most relevant Bitesize study guide for CCEA GCSE English Language and refresh your knowledge.

Writing, reading, spoken language, spelling, punctuation, grammar and comparing texts are all covered and there is guidance on completing the controlled assessment on the study of written language.

Follow the links to the topic of your choice, where you'll find easy-to-understand revision materials, including videos and quick quizzes.

Writing

Planning | Organising information and ideas | Audience, purpose and form | Vocabulary | Using language effectively | Writing fiction | Writing non-fiction

Spelling, punctuation and grammar

Spelling | Punctuation | Grammar

Reading literary texts

Setting | Themes | Characterisation and narrative voice | Language and structure | Annotating texts | Responding to a literary text

Reading non-fiction

Non-fiction text types | Purpose and audience | Language and structure | Responding to a non-fiction text

Spoken language

Speaking and listening | Personal presence | Voice | Responding and interacting | Individual researched presentation

Comparing texts

How to compare texts

Controlled assessment

The study of written language, controlled assessment guidance

Explore more GCSE English Language resources with the full range of assistance available from Bitesize.